Mystery Shopping Thread 25 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES

Mr._Bigglesworth

What are these merchandising jobs and where can they be found?

And who are the MSC that cant be named?

sorry for the newbie questions but i don't understand what / who people are talking about.

Larac

Mr._Bigglesworth wrote: »

What are these merchandising jobs and where can they be found?

And who are the MSC that cant be named?

sorry for the newbie questions but i don't understand what / who people are talking about.

Have sent you a PM

Big_Graeme

MysteryMan00 wrote: »

Yes, it will become easier as you do repeat jobs - even if doing different jobs, you'll get used to each MSC's style and find it quicker to pick out the salient points and skip the 14 pages of waffle that some go for.

Even when I've done a job many times, I jot down bullets on my phone. I did it because I sometimes forgot a small thing - like an exterior photo on exit - or what's on the left and right.

Also, remembering the standard stuff becomes second nature. I can't walk into a shop now without clocking everyone's name, hair, height and sight!

To add to this...

I use Evernote on my phone, it means I can list what the main info I need is as I read through the brief. I can then fill it as I go, for some jobs I have created templates as they need the same info time and again.

You'll get into the habit of noting what is left and right, what the staff names are, have a general description and noted how you are greeted, then you'll remember you are just a regular punter.

Larac

MysteryMan00 wrote: »

@ Larac re MF

I've noticed that they've started emailing out when it is normal fee and no mileage. Yes, I've seen the job and I've decided not to do it.

Sometimes, mileage and an extra few quid will persuade me but not no more than the original.

IMO MF is aimed at hobby shoppers - who appreciate a free pint/meal here and there. It's the only MSC I was with until this year and I was a hobby shopper. Still, as a matter of principle, I wouldn't do a job for reimbursement only - you might get a meal, but there is work involved and work needs a fee.

Would agree - MF business model is based on the assumption people are not going out their way to do the assignment and doing this as part of their daily routine. (Seen this quoted in their Facebook site) This may be fine in large towns and cities etc where you may have a large base of MF 'associates' who do walk past the door. However does not work in the more rural/surban areas where their jobs are in the middle of no where and travel costs out weigh the fees involved. Interestingly the same debate goes on the American boards re MF. Similarly you can repeat this conversation re RA and hence the reason why their tile, DIY and Pet jobs and technology enquiries hang on the boards for weeks on end.

What I can't work out is that it can't be very cost effective for allocators to ring around trying to get people to do the jobs, when if they offered a slightly enhanced fee - the jobs would go.

Alongman

Larac wrote: »

What I can't work out is that it can't be very cost effective for allocators to ring around trying to get people to do the jobs, when if they offered a slightly enhanced fee - the jobs would go.

This is the bit I have trouble understanding also would have thought that the more experienced shoppers would give a better report rather than the casuals.

MysteryMan00

Alongman wrote: »

This is the bit I have trouble understanding also would have thought that the more experienced shoppers would give a better report rather than the casuals.

Not just experience. I'm conscientious about everything I do - it's just my nature. But if the fee is very low and the text box suggests 20-50 characters is what they want, then I'll generally accept and stick to that guidance.

However, I did a job recently where I got a very large reimbursement for an item I was going to buy anyway. Similarly, the brief suggested only a few characters would suffice but I wrote up my visit in detail. I wanted them to feel they'd got value for money and I didn't want to ruin it for the next shopper.

Basically, I'm capable and willing to write anything from "Yes/No" to a full blown essay - but a low fee steers me towards the former!

missymouse

I try to do my best with each job but the fees are very low for the amount of time faffing about IMHO.

Also I do feel a bit uncomfortable because I feel I am being deceitful ITMS if you have to create an untrue scenario. I suppose you get over that after a while.

I didn't fancy doing the optician assignments because although I wear glasses it seemed so complicated.

Nebulous2

Who invented this Black Friday lark? I booked a job a couple of weeks ago, a relatively simple shop with a couple of enquiries. I had achoice of dates but chose yesterday evening as it fitted with my work.

That was a big mistake. Frazzled staff who had been rushed off their feet all day, trying very hard to avoid customer contact. I don't know how much use the data will be to the company, but I'm certainly never doing that again!

Alongman

missymouse wrote: »

I try to do my best with each job but the fees are very low for the amount of time faffing about IMHO.

Also I do feel a bit uncomfortable because I feel I am being deceitful ITMS if you have to create an untrue scenario. I suppose you get over that after a while.

I didn't fancy doing the optician assignments because although I wear glasses it seemed so complicated.

The ones I hate are the late pull out secanarios. You go through the whole thing with the company rep then pull out just before you sign the direct debit. The fee was very low, I thought the rep was going to hit me he had just spent thirty minutes thinking he was getting a sale. Who dreams these secanarios up? The MSC or the Client.

missymouse

I don't think I would want to do that. There was one which involved going into a jewellery shop to make an enquiry but not buy anything.

I like the ones where you can buy something or have something to eat because it is beneficial to both parties. I have bought a couple of presents this way although I am only partially reimbursed but I have to buy the items anyway.

I am with MF and GR at present, where would you recommend next?

I have mainly enjoyed it so far

This thread is great